Gender differences in mood and anxiety disorders: patterns of diagnosis amongst patients admitted to Western Cape psychiatric hospitals

Abstract

Research studies have consistently shown that gender impacts on psychiatric diagnosis. Different prevalence rates and patterns of mental illness have been shown to exist amongst men and women. Research based on both psychiatric hospital admissions and community surveys has consistently indicated that mood and anxiety disorders are more common amongst women. Various explanations have been given for this discrepancy; however, there is much evidence to support the explanation that higher rates of depression and anxiety amongst women are related to social factors associated with women's roles and life experiences. The present study analyses records at the Western Cape's three public psychiatric hospitals to determine gender differences in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders, in general, and in mood and anxiety disorders, in particular. Sociodemographic dat4 such as race, marital status, employment status, and age were also obtained from hospital records and correlations between gender and demographic factors were explored. Results showed the female to male ratio for depressive and anxiety-related disorders to be as high, or higher than those reported in other countries. Women showed higher rates of those disorders compared to men regardless of race. Reasons for the high prevalence of depressive and anxiety-related disorders amongst female psychiatric in patients in the Western Cape were hypothesised.